Apparatus and method for time correlated signal acquisition and viewing

ABSTRACT

A test and measurement instrument and method are disclosed. The test and measurement instrument includes a display having a time domain graticule and a frequency domain graticule. A processor is configured to sample an input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in the time domain graticule. The processor is also configured to generate a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domain graticule, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time domain graticule. The processor is also configured to generate a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR FILED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/403,319, filed Feb. 23, 2012, titled “APPARATUSAND METHOD FOR TIME CORRELATED SIGNAL ACQUISITION AND VIEWING,” whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/525,492, filedAug. 19, 2011, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of test and measurement instrumentsand in particular test and measurement instruments configured for timecorrelated signal acquisition and viewing of digitized waveforms.

BACKGROUND

Modern digital oscilloscopes generally provide the capability togenerate a time domain waveform of a given input signal. Someinstruments may include the capability to generate a spectrum orfrequency domain display of the input signal. A digital processor withinthe oscilloscope generally performs a frequency domain transform on theinput signal to generate the frequency domain display. Existing deviceslack an effective way to simultaneous display time domain and frequencydomain waveforms and the relationship between the two waveforms.Accordingly, there exists a need for a test and measurement instrumentincluding such simultaneous time domain and frequency domain displaycapabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A test and measurement instrument and method are disclosed. The test andmeasurement instrument includes a display having a time domain graticuleand a frequency domain graticule. A processor is configured to processan input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in thetime domain graticule. The input signal is correlated to a time base.The processor is configured to process a second input signal andgenerate a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domaingraticule. The second input signal is also correlated to the time base.The frequency domain waveform is correlated to a selected time period ofthe time base. The processor is configured to generate a spectrum timeindicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and theselected time period in the time domain graticule with respect to thefrequency domain waveform.

The first input signal and the second input signal may be the samesignal. The spectrum time indicator has a width that indicates theselected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to thefrequency domain waveform.

The test and measurement instrument may also include a pan inputconfigured to move the spectrum time indicator to a second location, theprocessor being configured to update the frequency domain waveform basedon the second location. The test and measurement instrument may includea zoom input configured to increase a zoom level and magnify the timedomain waveform. The processor may be configured to center the spectrumtime indicator as the zoom level is increased or the zoom position ispanned.

The test and measurement instrument may also include an input configuredto receive the input signal and a plurality of user controls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an oscilloscope having a display that is dividedinto a plurality of graticules;

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of a display that is divided into aplurality of graticules;

FIGS. 3A-3D are diagrams showing how spectrum time panning results in amodified frequency domain waveform;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the general processing steps to generate afrequency domain waveform and spectrum time indicator; and

FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams showing how zooming results in a modifiedfrequency domain waveform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure is directed to improved control systems for test andmeasurement instruments such as an oscilloscope. Improved spectrumcontrols are disclosed. Such controls, link spectrum waveform generationfunctions to intuitive pan/zoom controls to improve the capability andusability of test and measurement instruments.

Time correlated acquisition and viewing of analog, digital, and RFsignals may be accomplished in a single instrument. This is done bysplitting the display into two graticules, one for time domain waveformsand one for frequency domain waveforms. The user is provided withindicia that indicate the time period in the time domain from which thespectrum (frequency domain) wave form is calculated. The user is alsoprovided with a mechanism configured to move the spectrum timethroughout the acquired data to see how the frequency domain waveformschange over time and how they change relative to other events occurringin the device under test. For example, the user may want to position thespectrum time coincident with a glitch on the power supply toinvestigate radiated noise. Within the same acquisition they may want toslide the spectrum time through the time period that an RF signal wasactivated to view characteristics of the turn-on behavior. Regardless ofthe particular case, it is beneficial to provide the user with theability to see the spectrum time aligned with other system activitybeing probed with analog and digital channels.

The following definitions may be helpful in understanding thisdisclosure.

Analog time: the amount of time represented in the time domaingraticule. Analog time may be set by a Horizontal Scale knob.

RF Acquisition time: the amount of time being acquired on a radiofrequency (RF) input. RF Acquisition time may be more, less or the sameas Analog time depending on the particular setup.

Spectrum time: the amount of RF acquisition time used to calculate thespectrum shown in the frequency domain graticule. In a typicalembodiment, Spectrum time may be as long as, but not longer than the RFacquisition time. Spectrum time may be determined by dividing the FFTwindow factor by the resolution bandwidth.

Spectrum position: the starting location of the spectrum time relativeto analog time.

Center screen: with zoom off, center screen refers to the center of thetime domain acquisition. With zoom on, center screen refers to thecenter of the zoom box.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an oscilloscope 10 having a display 12 that isdivided into a plurality of graticules 14, 16. The graticules 14, 16 areconfigured to graphically display at least one waveform 24, 26 and othergraphical indicia 34, 36 for example axes, graphical information andtext. The oscilloscope 10 also has a plurality of user controls 18configured for user input and a plurality of electrical inputs 20configured to receive test signals and the like. In this example, usercontrols 18 include a zoom input 17 (inner knob) and a pan input 19(outer knob) configured to vary the zoom factor and pan position (zoombox position).

In this example, the oscilloscope 10 is implemented as a stand-aloneunit with an acquisition system 21 including a processor 22 having anassociated memory 23 configured for storage of program information anddata. It should be understood that processor 22 may be coupled toadditional circuitry, e.g., I/O, A/D, graphics generation hardware andthe like. The processor 22 is configured to receive at least a portionof the inputs via the user controls 18. The processor is also configuredto generate at least a portion of the information displayed in thegraticules 14, 16. It should be understood that the oscilloscope may beimplemented using a variety of hardware and software includingembodiments implemented using a computing devices, e.g., desktop,laptop, tablet, smart phone or other computing devices.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of a display 12 that is divided into aplurality of graticules. In this example, the upper graticule is a timedomain graticule 15 that is configured to display a time domain waveform30 representing a time domain signal supplied to one of electricalinputs 20. In this example, the display 12 is configured tosimultaneously display several individual time domain waveforms fromseparate signals applied to electrical inputs 20 as shown by referencenumbers 31, 33. The lower graticule is a frequency domain graticule 17that is configured to display a frequency domain waveform 32 from asignal applied to one of electrical inputs 20 for at least a portion ofthe time represented in the time domain graticule 15. In this example,the time domain waveforms 30, 31, 33 as well as the frequency domainwaveform 32 all represent different input signals, e.g., different inputchannels. It should be understood that one input signal may be used togenerate both a time domain waveform and a frequency domain waveform.The display 12 also includes a spectrum time indicator 38 that isconfigured to graphically illustrate the time period associated with theassociated frequency domain waveform 30.

FIGS. 3A-3D are diagrams showing how spectrum time panning and variationin spectrum time results in a modified frequency domain waveform. Theupper graticule shows a time domain waveform 80 of an RF input signal(signal under test). It should also be understood that the input signalis sampled and stored by oscilloscope 10 for subsequent analysis usingthe improved spectrum controls disclosed herein. FIG. 3A is an exampleshowing the spectrum time indicator 38 having a starting positionlocated at a first location 70. The spectrum time indicator 38 has awidth 71 that indicates the actual spectrum time relative to the timedomain waveform 80. In this example, the time domain waveform 80 andfrequency domain waveform 82 are derived from the same input signal. Thefrequency domain waveform 82 has a peak amplitude frequency ofapproximately 2.397 GHz.

As the spectrum time indicator 38 is moved to the right, the frequencydomain waveform is updated to reflect the spectrum for that startinglocation and duration. FIG. 3B is an example showing the spectrum timeindicator 38 having a starting position located at a second location 72.The spectrum time indicator 38 has a width 73 that indicates the actualspectrum time relative to the time domain waveform 80. In this example,the frequency domain waveform 84 has a peak amplitude frequency ofapproximately 2.400 GHz.

Continuing with this example, FIG. 3C is an example showing the spectrumtime indicator 38 having a starting position located at a third location74. The spectrum time indicator 38 has a width 75 that indicates theactual spectrum time relative to the time domain waveform 80. In thisexample, the frequency domain waveform 86 has a peak amplitude frequencyof approximately 2.403 GHz.

Finally, FIG. 3D is an example showing the spectrum time indicator 38having a starting position located at a fourth location 76. The spectrumtime indicator 38 has a width 77 that indicates the actual spectrum timerelative to the time domain waveform 80. In this example, the frequencydomain waveform 88 has a peak amplitude frequency of approximately 2.40GHz but also has a stepped appearance since the spectrum time nowencompasses all three plateaus in the time domain waveform 80.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the general processing steps to carry outthe functions disclosed above. It should be understood that anyflowcharts contained herein are illustrative only and that other programentry and exit points, time out functions, error checking routines andthe like (not shown) would normally be implemented in typical systemsoftware. It is also understood that system software may runcontinuously after being launched. Accordingly, any beginning and endingpoints are intended to indicate logical beginning and ending points of aportion of code that can be integrated into a main program and executedas needed. The order of execution of any of the blocks may also bevaried without departing from the scope of this disclosure.Implementation of these aspects is readily apparent and well within thegrasp of those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein.

One or more input signals are acquired, e.g., digitized and stored inmemory, as shown by block 102. The digitized input signal(s) generallyinclude a series of samples having a known time base. The spectrum timeand spectrum position are determined as shown by blocks 104, 106respectively. Spectrum time and position may be received via front panelcontrols such as zoom input 17 (inner knob) and a pan input 19 (outerknob) shown in FIG. 1. It should be understood that the spectrum timeand spectrum position may be set to initial default values if no userinput is received.

The processor performs a frequency domain transform, e.g., fast Fouriertransform (FFT), on the input signal. The spectrum time and spectrumposition inputs are used to identify corresponding input signal samplesfor this time period as shown by block 108. A frequency domain waveformis generated as shown by block 110. The spectrum time indicator is thengenerated and overlaid on the display to graphically represent thespectrum time and spectrum position as shown by block 112.

The improved spectrum controls disclosed above may be implemented in anoscilloscope having zoom functionality. In such an embodiment, the RFacquisition position and spectrum position may default to center screen.This means that when zoom is off, the RF acquisition position and thespectrum position is centered on center screen. When zoom is on, the RFacquisition position and spectrum position is centered on the center ofthe zoomed portion of the display (zoom box). The RF acquisitionposition and spectrum position may be indicated visually to the user.When spectrum time is less than RF acquisition time, spectrum positionmay be adjusted anywhere within the RF acquisition time as showngenerally in the examples above. When RF acquisition time is less thananalog time, the RF acquisition time can be adjusted anywhere withinanalog time (within hardware capabilities of the oscilloscope).

By default the spectrum position may be set to center screen. Thereforewhen zoom is off, spectrum position is the center of the display, butcan be panned via the pan input 19. When zoom is on, spectrum positionis centered on the zoom box. When the user pans the zoom box, e.g., viapan input 19 shown in FIG. 1, spectrum position pans with it. Thisallows the user to always see time correlated analog, digital, and RF.

FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams showing how zooming results in a modifiedfrequency domain waveform. FIG. 5A shows a display 120 prior to zooming.The display 120 is divided into a time domain graticule 150 and afrequency domain graticule 160. A spectrum time indicator 130 is locatedtowards the right hand side of the display 120. Frequency domainwaveform 140 is taken from this portion of the time base.

FIG. 5B shows a display 120 after zooming. It should be understood thatthe spectrum time was also panned to the left hand portion of thedisplay 120. The display may provide an analog time graticule 170 thatshows all of the analog capture time. A second spectrum time indicator232 may be provided to illustrate the position of the spectrum time withrespect to the analog time. Frequency domain waveform 142 is taken fromthis portion of the analog time. The zoomed spectrum time indicator 132is shown as a larger portion of the display 120. The spectrum timeindicator 132 remains centered in the time domain graticule 150 andfrequency domain graticule as the zoom level is increased.

FIG. 5C shows a display 120 after panning. In this example, the spectrumtime is moved to the right as shown by the second spectrum timeindicator 232. Frequency domain waveform 144 is taken from this portionof the analog time. The spectrum time indicator 134 remains centered inthe zoomed view of the time domain graticule 150 and the frequencydomain waveform 144 updates as the pan control is altered.

It should be understood that many variations are possible based on thedisclosure herein. Although features and elements are described above inparticular combinations, each feature or element can be used alonewithout the other features and elements or in various combinations withor without other features and elements. The methods or flow chartsprovided herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, orfirmware incorporated in a computer-readable (non-transitory) storagemedium for execution by a general purpose computer or a processor.Examples of computer-readable storage mediums include a read only memory(ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory,semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disksand removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such asCD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs).

Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purposeprocessor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, adigital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, amicrocontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integratedcircuit (IC), and/or a state machine.

What is claimed is:
 1. A test and measurement instrument, comprising: a display having a time domain graticule and a frequency domain graticule; a processor configured to process an input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in the time domain graticule, the input signal being correlated to a time base, the processor being configured to process a second input signal and generate a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domain graticule, the second input signal being correlated to the time base, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time base; the processor being configured to generate a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period in the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.
 2. The test and measurement instrument of claim 1, wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are the same signal.
 3. The test and measurement instrument of claim 1, wherein the spectrum time indicator has a width that indicates the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.
 4. The test and measurement instrument of claim 1 further comprising a pan input configured to move the spectrum time indicator to a second location, the processor being configured to update the frequency domain waveform based on the second location.
 5. The test and measurement instrument of claim 1, further comprising a zoom input configured to increase a zoom level and magnify the time domain waveform to create a zoomed view.
 6. The test and measurement instrument of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to center the spectrum time indicator in the zoomed view as the zoom level is increased.
 7. The test and measurement instrument of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to center the spectrum time indicator in the zoomed view as the magnified time domain waveform is panned.
 8. The test and measurement instrument of claim 1, further comprising an input configured to receive the input signal.
 9. The test and measurement instrument of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of user controls.
 10. A method of providing a test and measurement instrument the method comprising: providing a display having a time domain graticule and a frequency domain graticule; providing a processor configured to sample an input signal to generate a time domain waveform for display in the time domain graticule and a frequency domain waveform for display in the frequency domain graticule, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time domain graticule; the processor being configured to generate a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are the same signal.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the spectrum time indicator has a width that indicates the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to receive a pan input, move the spectrum time indicator to a second location and update the frequency domain waveform based on the second location.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to receive a zoom input to increase a zoom level and magnify the time domain waveform to create a zoomed view.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the spectrum time indicator is centered in the zoomed view as the zoom level is increased.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the spectrum time indicator is centered in the zoomed view as the magnified time domain waveform is panned.
 17. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program for execution by a processor configured to perform test and measurement, the method comprising: processing an input signal; generating a time domain waveform for display in a time domain graticule, the input signal being correlated to a time base; processing a second input signal; generating a frequency domain waveform for display in a frequency domain graticule, the second input signal being correlated to the time base, the frequency domain waveform being correlated to a selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform; and generating a spectrum time indicator configured to graphically illustrate a location and the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first input signal and the second input signal are the same signal.
 19. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the spectrum time indicator has a width that indicates the selected time period of the time domain graticule with respect to the frequency domain waveform.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising receiving a pan input, moving the spectrum time indicator to a second location and updating the frequency domain waveform based on the second location. 